Transit district begins wayside horn design phase

DEL MAR  North County Transit District engineers are beginning to design the potential installation of a quieter horn system for Del Mar’s lone Coast Boulevard crossing.

The system’s horns — known as wayside horns — are directionally angled speakers placed at a crossing that are much quieter than a train’s multidirectional blasts. With a wayside horn system, conductors only sound their horns in emergencies.

A Del Mar fundraising effort by citizens who have been bothered by train horns blasting into the wee hours accrued enough for the initial design study. NCTD estimates that the entire system could cost $276,000. The fundraisers hope that NCTD will lower the cost after this initial $17,548 study. The city of Del Mar has said no public money can go to paying for the train alert system.

The fundraisers are also beginning work on a website and brochures to promote their efforts.